Post date: Jan 18, 2013 12:17:00 AM
Today I went to Casa Benjamin Linder. This is a place where expatriot (mostly) NGO (non-governmental organizations) meet regularly to listen and discuss topics - especially repression and those that the NGOs address.
Today's topic was: Problems with women's rights in Nicaragua:
Law is not respected, leading to more crime.
These are my very brief notes (taken on an iPod) from the speaker today.
Cabinet has women but none of the cabinet members has been approved by assembly and they are fired if they speak up. Rich pay small tax. Many women emigrate for work but are subject to harassment. Coffee plantations infested and have lower yields. Big investment in San Juan del Sur financed by govt bank loan w no tax. Productivity has not increased, putting pressure on land for cattle feed. Herders don't attend school and don't become more productive. Investment in education has not increased, only propaganda. Law is ignored by the rulers. Domestic violence has increased, even if better than in neighboring countries.
Govt does not enforce laws in many criminal areas - increasing disrespect for the law.
One example: Drunk son of govt leader killed three people but remains free after auto accident at Xmas.
Recently a rapist had sentence lowered because he was drunk with beer and his drinking made him "not responsible for his actions".
Many people believe that politics is not important because politics doesn't feed you.
Police are technically competent, but politics interferes with justice.
If a govt leader speaks out, she is fired - at all levels of govt and society.
After the meeting I took the bus back to JHC. This meant a 20 minute walk to the bus stop. I had to ask to be sure I was at the right stop. The first time I was across the street. So I walked across the street to the bus shelter. I was told that the bus might take 15 minutes. After half hour I phoned my host to be sure I was at the right place. She said to take a taxi and give the phone to the driver, who could get directions from my host. Meanwhile I asked the watermelon vendor at the bus stop, who confirmed that the Route 115 came by, and, by the way, it was approaching right now! I had carefully checked all the buses passing earlier, and this was the 115. Should have asked him earlier, as he seemed to have a way to call up the bus when asked! This route uses the oldest buses in town, but, then, it goes to the poorest section of the city.